Vitamin D fortification of milk products does not resolve hypovitaminosis D in young Finnish men

Abstract

Nineteen men (29.2%) had vitamin D deficiency (25-OHDp20 nmol/l) and 48 men (73.8%) had hypovitaminosis D (25-OHDp37.5 nmol/l). Serum 25-OHD and iPTH levels correlated inversely (r ¼ À0.30; P ¼ 0.017). Serum 25-OHD levels were 52.0% higher for 13 vitamin D supplement users than for 51 non-users (P ¼ 0.0001). After exclusion of supplement users, an association between 25-OHD level and consumption of milk products was found (P ¼ 0.011), with the median vitamin D level being 6.5 nmol/l higher for those consuming four glasses of milk products or more daily than for those consuming one or less. Likewise, the higher the milk consumption, the higher the difference in 25-OHD between years 2004 and 2001 (P ¼ 0.0025). Conclusion: Vitamin D fortification of milk products slightly but insufficiently improved the poor vitamin D status of young Finnish men during winter. Further supplementation is warranted in order to normalize vitamin D levels and to support achievement of maximum peak bone mass.

High pressure-assisted encapsulation of vitamin D2in reassembled casein micelles

“…Ergocalciferol (vitamin D 2 ), a hydrophobic vitamin, was selected as a model of nutraceutical compounds due to its chemical characteristics and biological functionality. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is essential for normal skeletal mineralisation and growth [12,13]. This vitamin is obtained either from dietary sources or from cutaneous synthesis through a process initiated by ultraviolet radiation on the skin.…”

“…Its status varies depending on the season of the year, geographic latitude and sun exposition [13,14]. Thus vitamin D is an essential micronutrient for certain human groups, especially for children from northern countries and people confined to hospital and thus without exposure to sunlight [12][13][14][15]. In Germany, the recommended daily intake of vitamin D is 5 μg for children and adults <65 years of age, as well as for women during pregnancy and lactation and 10 μg for babies (0 to 12 months) and adults >65 years of age (DGE, 2009).…”

“…This vitamin is obtained either from dietary sources or from cutaneous synthesis through a process initiated by ultraviolet radiation on the skin. Its status varies depending on the season of the year, geographic latitude and sun exposition [13,14]. Thus vitamin D is an essential micronutrient for certain human groups, especially for children from northern countries and people confined to hospital and thus without exposure to sunlight [12][13][14][15].…”

Response: food fortification as a means to increase vitamin D intake

“…These changes are discussed in our original paper. We found that milk, Itkonen & Lamberg-Allard stated that the effects of vitamin D fortification have already been studied in Finnish children and adults (6)(7)(8)(9) , and from this point of view they suggested that our study would not provide any new data. However, we want to emphasise that the aim of our study was not to investigate the effects of fortification on vitamin D status.…”

Vitamin D Deficiency in Children and Its Health Consequences

“…In children and adolescents, much research has been focused on food fortification with vitamin D, rather than direct supplementation [104][105][106][107][108][109]. One Finnish longitudinal study compared 25(OH)D concentrations in adolescent females before and after the initiation of vitamin D fortification of fluid milk and margarines [104].…”